Eleven people, including the driver, died when their tempo-traveller collided with a truck near Karnataka's Dhardwad city, some 430 km north-west of its capital Bengaluru.
Extending condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Karnataka's Dharwad district. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray for a quick recovery of those injured."
According to the police, seven others were also injured in the Friday morning accident that took place at a crossing some 8 kilometres from Dhardwad city.
The condition of five is said to be critical, they said, adding that majority of those who have died are women.
The injured have been shifted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment, the police said.
The travellers, all of whom were women, were going to Goa from Karnataka's Davangere -- a distance of 300 km -- for a family function, the police said.
Further details are awaited.
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